ETA expressed willingness to negotiate with government if no pre-conditions; followed 5 October arrest of 21 ETA suspects in major French-Spanish police operation. Small explosions San Sebastian 16 and 22 October, Bilbao 23 October, blamed on ETA.

ETA claimed responsibility for series of minor August blasts at northwestern coastal resorts.

Parliamentary enquiry continues into claims previous government deliberately misled public in blaming Basque separatists for 11 March Madrid bombing. Four ETA suspects accused of planning attacks on Basque police arrested 24 July. Basque and Spanish leaders resumed official relations after 3-year break.

Eight members of ETA arrested in French raids 17 June. Spanish PM Zapatero continued attempts to avoid Basque premier’s Plan Ibarretxe. Plan calls for greater autonomy, including separate courts, subject to Basque referendum; many fear this would lead to break-up of Spain.

Banned Basque separatist party Batasuna reportedly in talks with mainstream Basque politicians on possible ceasefire by ETA separatists.

Authorities initially blamed Basque separatists ETA for Madrid bombings, who denied having any role. Generally accepted more likely to have been Islamist extremists. See ‘Spain’ below.

Basque terrorist group ETA announced limited ceasefire with Catalonia. Move criticised by mainstream Spanish political parties, all of which oppose negotiations with ETA. Over 500 kgs of explosives believed to be destined for Madrid intercepted by security forces 29 February – bomb would have been largest by ETA in 30-year history.

Christmas bombing campaign by Basque separatist group ETA foiled – 2 suspected ETA members arrested 24 December, having planted 3 bombs and in possession of another. ETA seriously weakened by 9 December arrests of military and logistical chiefs; weapons and false identity documents also seized in operation. Basque plan to become ‘free-associated state’ (sovereign state associated with Spain) to be debated by regional parliament and if approved, put to referendum in 2005. Central government declared moves unconstitutional, filed appeal 13 November with Constitutional Court and passed law 28 November criminalising calling of referendum without permission of central government.

Plan to become ‘free-associated state’ (sovereign state associated with Spain) approved by Basque regional government 24 October causing considerable tension. Plan to be debated by regional parliament and if approved, put to referendum. Central government declared moves unconstitutional, filed appeal 13 November with Constitutional Court and passed law 28 November criminalising calling of referendum without permission of central government. Two ETA suspects arrested by French police 17 November; Spanish police captured 12 alleged leaders following day.

Plan to become ‘free-associated state’ (sovereign state associated with Spain) approved by Basque regional government 24 October causing considerable tension. Plan to be debated by regional parliament 4 November; if approved, to be put to referendum. Dependent legally, however, on 60% approval by national parliament. Spanish Government to challenge in constitutional court. 11 lorries bombed in Basque border town 12 October, Spanish national day – police blame Basque separatists ETA, who have carried out similar operations in previous years. French and Spanish police arrested 34 for suspected ETA links in joint operation. Government strongly denied ETA accusations of torture – UN envoy Theo van Boven to investigate in coming months.